PAN, January 15, 2015

85pc of ministers-designate lack requisite skills

Only 15 percent of the nominees have mandatory educational qualifications and 63 percent are inexperienced

An overwhelming majority of the ministers-designate and heads of independent departments lack requisite professional expertise, Pajhwok Afghan News has found.

Only 15 percent of the nominees have mandatory educational qualifications and 63 percent are inexperienced, according to documents made available to this news agency.

More than 105 days after its inauguration, the unity government on Monday announced a list of 25 ministers-designate, and heads of National Directorate of Security and Afghanistan Bank.

Six officials- designate have doctorates, 11 masters and the rest bachelor degrees. The ministers of defence, interior, mines and hajj that constitute only 15 percent of the council have related qualications and experience.

On the contrary, the ministers of communications and higher education do not have the required skills, something that belies claims of merit by the president and the chief executive officer.

The findings show that ministers of foreign affairs, justice, labour and social affairs, public health, information and the central bank governor -- who constitute 28 percent of the designates -- had relevant degrees.

Work experience of three ministers remains a mystery so far, but 10 of 24 others are apparently well-versed in their fields.

Earlier, a group of civil society activists said the nominees were inappropriate choices and the president and CEO had failed to honour their pledges.